The question that shatters faith, forever.

[mediamogul]

I think what Drich is trying to say is that deity is the absolute standard against which all other apparent standards are judged. For example, suppose you and I disagree on whether something is right or wrong. To resolve our different opinions, together we can look to a mutually agreed upon higher standard or principle for guidance. That standard could be the bible but it could just as easily be reason, compassion or any other agreed up source for moral judgments. From a theistic perspective, all valid standards for the goodness and truthfulness ultimately come from god.

What Drich does not understand is that any such supposed higher standard or principle must first be justified itself. So, simply saying "god is the source of good" is not enough, it must be justified as to why god is the source and whether he actually is. Otherwise, it is simply an empty and arbitrary assertion.

He is saying something much more disturbing than that I believe. He is essentially saying that morality is an invention and the only "good" is obedience to god's will. Which of course begs the question what makes god's will any good? Simple observation yields an undeniable answer: nothing.

This is a pretty out there argument that basically allows for all manner of atrocity based on the percieved "will of god". It is a theology I doubt VERY much he actually subscribes to in any practical way. I imagine its more a way to avoid the problem of evil and explain the atrocities in the Old Testament.